Youth Programs | Rotary Club of Hershey

Four-Way Test Essay Contest

2022-23 Essay Prompt:
Is it the Truth? – How I Define What is True in My Life

Deadline: Feb. 3, 2023

What Are We Looking For? Rotarians across the world apply the “Four-Way Test” to their professional and personal relationships by asking themselves, of the Things we think, say, or do:

• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

A very important, if not the most important, question in Rotary’s Four-Way Test is the first one – “Is it the Truth?”

In this time of “alternative facts,” “fake news,” media bias and “spin”, many have wondered: What is true? Where is truth found? Is truth even important? Some question whether truth is absolute or simply relative to a person’s time, background or position in life. Still others question whether people are able to get outside of themselves to view truth apart from their own personal interest.

We would like to hear your thoughts on the “truth.” Please address in an essay how you determine whether something is true and the factors you consider in reaching the answer to “Is it the Truth?” Please also write about how the other three prongs of the Four-Way Test might (or might not) help you arrive at whether something is the truth.

INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility: Ninth Grade Students.

Format: The essay should be submitted in .pdf format and suitable for printing on 8.5 x 11.0 paper. The text should be double spaced in 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman are preferred). Do not insert identifying information such as a name or school on any sheet except the cover sheet. Do not insert graphics.

Essay Length: The essay must not exceed 1500 words in length.

Cover Sheet: A cover sheet must be attached to each essay (see instructions below).

Original Work: The essay must be the original work of the student submitting the essay for competition. Team writing, parental participation, and the use of works written by other sources, even if foot-noted, is not authorized. Participating students will sign a pledge on the Cover Sheet stating that the essay is their original work. Parents/guardians will also be requested to confirm that their student's essay is original work.

Once you complete your essay, please email it to tanthonysinger@gmail.com and complete and submit the Cover Sheet found here. Upon receipt of your essay, your parent or guardian will be sent a declaration (via their Email that you provide on the Cover Sheet) for completion and return.

The Hershey Rotary Club is part of Rotary International’s worldwide scholarship program through the local clubs that allows high school students all over the world to go to school in a foreign country for a year to broaden their experience and understanding of the wonderful world in which we live.

The program is for students with above average scholastic achievements who would like to learn the culture and language of a foreign country, and to participate in the inter-country exchange of young ambassadors as has been provided by Rotary International for over 30 years. During recent academic years, the local Rotary District has sent students to more than 25 different countries.

If you are interested in the Youth Exchange Program and would like to learn more, please contact Hershey Rotarians Susan Steadman at steadmanhome@comcast.net or Dale Forshey at dforshey@loveincgreaterhershey.org. Information is also available at www.exchangestudent.org under the long-term program heading.

The Club has a need for host families for the 2022-23 school year for our inbound student from Brazil.

The Hershey Rotary Club will be hosting a female student from Brazil during the 2022-2023 school year, and is seeking potential host families for a three month time period during the year. The inbound student, Julia (16) seems like an excellent student and is interested in travel and culture, and wants to learn all she can about life here in the USA. She speaks and writes English well, and is outgoing and open to new experiences. Hosting a student is a rewarding experience, creating a lifelong relationship between you and your exchange student while allowing you and your family to learn more about life in another part of the world.

Host families must live in the Derry Township School District, provide room and board , exercise normal parental responsibilities and supervision of the student, accept the student as one of the family and work with the assistance of the rotary counselor if the student encounters any difficulties. The Rotary Club provides the student with a monthly allowance for expenses and the student also has funds from their parents for clothing and entertainment. Health insurance is through Rotary International sponsored program and financial requirements of the host family are limited to room and board.

Rotary International facilitates international student exchange, which enables approximately 7,000 students to study abroad each year. More information on the program and on being a host family can be found at our website : https://rotary7390.org/page/youth-exchange. Want to learn more about hosting Julia? Contact Susan Steadman at 717-319-2645 (steadmanhome@comcast.net) or Dale Forshey at 717-649-1101 (dforshey@loveincgreaterhershey.org).

Hershey Rotary Club supports the community’s youth through leadership programs, scholarships, monthly high school student recognition, and by sponsoring the Hershey Community Youth Alliance, a civic club bringing together Hershey High School and Milton Hershey School students. The Club also sponsors in bound foreign exchange students and outbound students who study in many locations around the globe. In addition to long-term (school year) exchange programs, Rotary also supports short-term summer exchange programs.

Rotary Student of the Month

Throughout the school year, Hershey Rotary Club honors a female and male Student of the Month from the Hershey, Milton Hershey and Middletown Area High School. The students are nominated by their schools' administrators who consider a student's academic standing and his or her commitment to the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self." Each recipient receives a certificate of honor from the Hershey Rotary Club. The awardees may also attend a special luncheon and make brief remarks about their accomplishments and plans for the future and are invited to bring their parents or guests to attend the luncheon.

Rotary Scholarships for Seniors

Each year, the guidance offices from Hershey High School, Milton Hershey School and Middletown Area High School, nominate students to receive a college scholarship from the Hershey Rotary Club. The Club presents each recipient with a $1,000 check at the schools' senior award assemblies.

Hershey Community Youth Alliance (HCYA)

The Student Government Associations from Hershey High School and Milton Hershey work together as a Rotary Interact Club with the support of the Hershey Rotary Club. Throughout the school year, the student club works on community fundraising events and creates awareness about each other's schools through a day-long school exchange program and other events.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

Hershey Rotary sponsors students from our local school districts to attend the annual Rotary District 7390 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. This distinguished program gives incoming seniors an opportunity to collaborate with peers from around the region. Attendees are recommended by the administration from their respective school districts' administration.

Four-Way Test Speech Contest

Our club offers an opportunity for high school students from Hershey, Milton Hershey and Middletown Area High Schools to participate in the annual Rotary District 7390 speech contest. Students compete at the local, mid-level and district level for the honor and cash prizes. Learn more.

Four-Way Test Essay Contest

Hershey Rotary Club also participates in the Rotary District 7390 Essay Contest. Designed for 9th grade students, each year the contest provides a topic that students must explore using the Rotary Four-Way Test. Students compete at the local level and district level for the honor and cash prizes. Read more.

Why Be An Exchange Student?
Every year, about 8,000 young people from around the world participate in Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program. Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.

With Rotary's Youth Exchange program you will travel to another country, learn a new language, and experience the culture in this new land. You will live with host families as you learn about the culture as you continue your high school education.

As an unofficial ambassador for Rotary, your community and your country, you will bring the world closer together while you’re making lifetime friends.

Students spend a full academic year with two or more host families beginning in late summer. Host parents provide room and meals as well as support and guidance. The host Rotary Club provides a limited monthly spending allowance, a counselor, and supervision.

Although parents should be prepared to cover travel, health insurance and a few other costs for the outbound student, Rotary arranges travel and assists with visa arrangements. In some cases scholarships may be available to help defray exchange costs. Talk to our club contact about your individual situation.

There is also a short term exchange program that occurs each summer which involves a three week stay in a foreign country - this could be an alternative to consider as well.

If this experience sounds like something you or your child would like to learn more about, contact Susan Steadman from the Hershey Rotary Club at steadmanhome@comcast.net or 717-319-2645 for more information. Learn more on the Rotary District 7390 website.